Ministry of External Affairs Government of India

I. Introduction

• The Ninth Joint Commisson Meeting on Bilateral Cooperation (JCM) between the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and the Republic of India was held on 23 November 2018 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
• The Lao delegation was led by His Excellency Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR and the Indian delegation was led by Her Excellency Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India. The Meeting was attended by representatives of both sides. The composition of two delegations is attached as Annex I and Annex II respectively.
• Her Excellency Sushma Swaraj expressed her sincere appreciations to His Excellency Saleumxay Kommasith for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to the Indian delegation during her stay in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
• The Meeting was conducted in a warm and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the strong traditional bonds of close friendship and good cooperation between two countries. Both Ministers were engaged in a wide range of discussions with regard to bilatereal cooperation, region and global issues of common interest.
  
  II. Bilateral Cooperations
  
  A. Political and Defence Cooperation
  
  a) Political Cooperation
  
  
• Both sides expressed satisfaction on warm and friendly relations existing over the past years as well as mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries under the comprehensive partnership, which continue to grow and deepen to greater height.
• The two Ministers highlighted the successful high-level exchange of visits between the two countries, namely the visit and bilateral meeting between H.E. Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR and H.E. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India on the occasion of the sideline of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit on 25-26 January 2018 in New Delhi, and the visit to the Lao PDR by H.E. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India to attend 14th ASEAN-India Summit on 6-8 September 2016. Both sides value those successful visits which have contributed to further strengthening and promoting mutual understanding and close relations between the two countries.
• Both sides also valued the existing friendly relations and fruitful cooperation between the Lao PDR and India, which have been developed over 62 years since the establishement of diplomatic relations.
  
  b) Cooperation between the Two Foreign Ministries
  
  
• Both sides took note of the ongoing cooperation in the field of Diplomatic training and Lao side expressed appreciation for the training imparted to the Lao Diplomats by Foreign Service Institute of India and conveyed their keenness to conclude a MoU between the Institute of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR and the Foreign Servive Institute of India. The Indian side agreed to the proposal.
  
  c) Defence Cooperation
  
  
• The Lao side expressed appreciation and profound gratitude for the English Language and Computer Training (IT) courses extended by the Indian Army, which has contributed to the improvement of personnel’s skills of Lao People’s Army. Furthermore, the Lao side is looking forward to continued support for the above-mentioned training.
• The Lao side proposed to Indian side to continuously provide the Lao army personnel with training scholarships in the intitutions of Indian Army. The Indian side has responded positively to the proposal.
• Both sides have agreed to continue to carry out exchange of visits at the level of high-ranking military officers.
  
  B. Economic Cooperation
  
  
• The Lao side expressed sincere appreciation for India’s support and assistance in the socio-economic development of the Lao PDR, through various programs of assistance and cooperation. The Indian side reaffirmed its desire to continue supporting in such areas.
  
  a) Cooperation in Trade and Investment
  
  
• Trade: Both sides noted that the trade volume between the two countries has been growing, but still limited. Both sides agreed to take all possible steps to promote bilateral trade.
• Furthermore, both sides agreed to encourage the two Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Lao PDR and India to organize business forums during the exchange of visits by high-level offcials, in order to exchange information and procedure as well as to promote cooperation in trade and investment between the two countries.
• Investment: Both sides agreed that they would encourage Indian companies to invest in Lao PDR, especially in priority areas of Lao PDR's National Socio-Economic Development Plan. The Lao side agreed to facilitate investment by Indian companies in Laos subject to the Investment Promotion Law.
• Both sides agreed to revise the MOU on Promotion and Protection of Investment between two countries to replace the MOU, signed on 9 November 2000. Furthermore, Both sides agreed to accelerate efforts to finalize the revised MOU at the earliest date.
• Both sides also agreed to accelerate the negotiation on the Double Taxation and Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) at the earliest possible date to finalize the details of the draft agreement.
  
  b) Cooperation in Agriculture
  
  
• Both sides agreed to fast-track the revision of the MOU for cooperation in the field of Agriculture and allied sectors between the two countries to replace the MOU signed on 2nd May 1997 in New Dehli.
• The Lao side expressed sincere appreciations to the Government of the Republic of India and noted with satisfaction that both sides are on the process of implementing the irrigation projects in Xayaboury, Vientiane and Savannakhet provinces, with the amount of USD 30.94 million Line of Credit.
• The Lao side also expressed sincere appreciations to the Government of India for the approval notification of the Line of Credit of USD 72.44 million for setting up a University of Agriculture, Training and Extension Centre in Champasack province, Lao PDR. Both sides are willing to sign agreement at mutually convenient time.
  
  c) Cooperation in Energy and Mining
  
  
• On the request of Lao side, Indian side agreed to strengthen capacity building for Lao officials by organizing short term trainings in the Energy and Mining sectors.
• With regard to the Line of Credit of USD 72.55 million, the Lao side expressed sincere thanks to the Government of India and noted with satisfaction that the extension of the 230 KV transmission line from Thabok-Nabong project has been completed under the first component amounting to USD 37.3 million. Both sides agreed to continue discussions on the second component amounting to USD 35.25 million, which was approved by the Indian side, to be utilized for other projects related to energy sector.
  
  d) Cooperation in Science and ICT/Telecommunication
  
  
• Both sides agreed to maintain the exchange of visits of scientists/officials/experts and to draw a joint action plan in the specific areas of Science and Information and Communication Technology (ICT)/Telecommunication by orgnizing seminars/workshops.
• The Lao side expressed appreciation for the assistance extended by Indian Government in the field Information Communication Technology (ICT)/Telecommunication and sought for continued support, especially in capacity building in the field of ICT/Telecommunication, Science and Techonology and Post. The Lao side welcomed the pilot projects on Digital Villages in CLMV countries under Grant Aid for the Lao PDR.
• Both sides noted with satisfaction that the Agreement between the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Techonogy of the Republic of India and the Institute of Information and Communication Technology (IICT), Ministry of Post and Telecommunications of the Lao PDR for setting up a Centre of Excellence in Software Development and Training (CESDT) under the ASEAN-India Framework is currently being implemented.
  
  e) Cooperation in Natural Resources and Environment
  
  
• The Lao side proposed to Indian side that it would identify its priority areas for the short-term and long-term trainings and scholarships to the Lao officials in Natural Resources and Environment Management in the Republic of India. The Indian side agreed to accommodate them in the existing Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programs. The Lao side was interested to exchange visit at technical level regarding natural resources and environmental management.C. Social and Cultural Cooperation
  
  a) Cooperation in Education
  
  
• Training and Scholarships: The Lao side expressed gratitude for India’s assistance in providing various short-term and long-term training courses as well as technical training under various schemes of the Government of India. The Indian side agreed to consider the request of Lao side to broaden and increase the number of scholarships, particularly for English Proficiency, Administration, Management, Education, Development, International Relation, etc.
• Both sides agreed on the importance of people-to-people exchanges, particularly through youths between the two countries, and also agreed to consider to set up a mechanism to promote it.
• On the request of Lao side, the indian side agreed to train Customs Officers of Lao PDR. The proposed training would include interaction with officers of Indian Customs and Revenue Services and also visit to various institutions in India imparting training to Customs officials.
  
  b) Cooperation in Culture
  
  
• Wat Phou Heritage Site: The Lao side thanked the Government of India for the assistance in the restoration of Wat Phou Heritage Site. Under Phase I from 2008 to 2017, ASI did commendable restoration work. Phase II of the restoration work from 2018 to 2018 (10 years) has now been approved by Government of India. ASI team has already arrived in Wat Phou and has started the restoration work. Both sides noted this with satisfaction.
• Cultural Exchanges: Both sides were happy to note that a large number of cultural and artiste exchanges have taken place between the two countries in the last few years. The important groups that came from India to Lao PDR were Mohiniattam by Dr. Methil Devika (January 2017), Classical dance by Guru Veeranala Jaya Rama Rao (April 2017), Folk Music by Sanatomba Rajkumar (August 2017), Mayurbhanj Chhau by Dibyajyoti (October 2017) and Pt. Rajan Sajan Misra (March 2018).
  
  The Important troupes and other artistes exchanges that happened from Lao PDR to India including for the 25th Anniversary celebrations of India-ASEAN Dialogue Relations were: Lao Youth Delegation fro India-AEAN Youth Summit (August 2017), Mr. Kanha Sikounnavong for ASEAN-India Artist Camp (September 2017), Ms. Phonesavanh Inthavong for ASEAN-India Music Festival (October 2017), Mr. Khamsuane Vongthongkham (Lao traditional Instrument Khaen player) for performance at ASEAN-India Summit 2018 (January 2018) and Phralak Phralam Troupe of Royal Ballet Theatre, Luang Prabang for Ramayana Festival (January 2018 & November 2018). Both sides look forward to continue discussing exchanges in future.
• The Indian side reiterated desire to establish an ICCR Chair on Buddhist Studies at the Buddhist College in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Lao side agreed with the proposal.
  
  c) Cooperation in Transport
  
  
• The two Ministers are looking forward to the signing ceremony of the Air Service Agreement (ASA) between the Lao PDR and India in order strengthen long-standing friendship and good cooperation as well as the people-to-people connection between the two countries.
  
  III. Regional Issues
  
  A. Assistance under MGC and ASEAN framework
  
  
• Both sides recalled the success of the 9th Mekong-Ganga Ministerial Meeting held on 04 August 2018 in Singapore and the adoption of the Joint Statement of the said-meeting which will be the reference for cooperation among member countries.
• The Lao side valued and welcomed the cooperation under the MGC Framework, particularly the implementation of the Plan of Action to Implement Mekong-Ganga Cooperation 2016-2018 adopted in the 7th Mekong-Ganga Ministerial Meeting in 2016, in Vientiane, covering a wide range of areas for cooperation.
• The Lao side expressed profound gratitute to the Goverment of the Republic of India for the approval of three Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) under the MGC framework namely: 1. Establishment of Fertilizer Analysis Labolatory, Vientiane 2. Promotion of Goat Raising in Lao PDR, Vientiane Province, 3. Promote Green Cardamom Cultivation in Paksong District, Champasack Province. These projects will contribute to the promotion of the socio-economic development of Lao PDR, especially in agricultural sector. The Lao side noted with thanks that the first instalment (that is, 40% of the Sanctioned amount) has been transferred to the Lao side. Once again, the Lao side hopes that the Government of India will continue considering new project proposals from Lao PDR in the coming year.
• The Lao side encouraged the Indian side to further strengthen cooperation on infrastructure development including through aligning the projects with MPAC 2025, especially physical connectivity, as well as to support the implementation of the ASEAN ICT Master Plan 2020 in order to connect ASEAN and India. Furthermore, the Lao side proposed to Indian side to consider positively Laos’ proposals under the USD 1 billion line of credit announced by India at the ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane in 2016 and to consider providing more favorable conditions in terms of interest rates, guidelines and procedures.
  
  IV. International Issues
  
  
• Both sides noted with satisfaction the long-standing close cooperation between two countries in regional and international fora, including mutual support for respective candidatures in various international organizations and expressed desires to continue such cooperation in the near future.
• The Lao PDR reiterated support for the India’s candidature for Permanent Membership of a reform UNSC. Both sides agreed to extend full support to the Inter-Governmental Negotiation (ING) process, currently underway in the UN.
• Indian side expressed sincere appreciation for the support received from the Lao side on India’s candidature for membership of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) for 2017-2019, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for 2017-2020, International Law Commission (ILC) for 2017-2022, Postal Operations Council of Universal Postal Union (UPU) for 2017-2020 , Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for 2018-2022, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for 2017-2026, the Executive Board of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for 2017-2021 and Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for 2018-2027.
• The Lao side took note and will consider positively on the India’s Candidature for a non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for the term 2021-2022, for which the election will be held during the 74th session of the UN general Assembly in June 2020 in New York.
  
  V. The Tenth JCM on Bilateral Cooperation between the Lao PDR and India
  
  
• Both sides expressed satisfaction on the success of the 9th Laos-India JCM which was held in a cordial atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding.
• Both sides agreed that the next JCM between the Lao PDR and the Republic of India will be held in India. The date for the JCM will be communicated through diplomatic channels.